Ganesh
Ganesh
Ganesh is the eldest son of Parvati and Shiva. While Lord Shiva was away at war Parvati desired someone to stand guard while she bathed. Parvati created a boy, Ganesh, and told him not to allow anyone to enter her
chambers. When Lord Shiva returned home after being away the boy faithfully blocked the entrance way. Shiva became furious, and thus enraged, he cut off Ganesh’s head. When Parvati came out and saw what Lord Shiva had done she began grieving over her son. Lord Shiva then realized who this boy was and sent his men to bring back the head of the first creature they came upon. They brought back the head of an elephant. There is some significance to the elephant which is noted for its sharp intelligence. Ganesh's elephant head symbolizes acute intellect and the power of proper discrimination. Moreover, when an elephant moves through the jungle, it clears the way for others to follow. Similarly by invoking Ganesh, a path is cleared for any undertaking and all obstacles will be removed. Shiva then placed the head on the boy thus bringing him back to life. Lord Shiva further blessed the boy decreeing that all shall pray to Ganesh before enlisting any undertaking. The Nectar of Devotion recommends that one should worship Ganapati to avoid any offences. It is also stated in the Nectar of Devotion that while Sri Krishna is performing the Rasa dance Lord Shiva began dancing and playing his drum sounding like dhin-dhina-dhin. Then his eldest son Ganesh dancing in ecstacy joined Lord Shiva. As long as we have understood that our goal of life is loving service to Krishna, then we can worship Ganesh to help us achieve love for Krishna, not for any other reason.
Ganesh is worshipped as the god of education, intellect, wisdom, health, happiness, inner peace, and wealth. Ganesh is also the destroyer of vanity, selfishness and pride. He has four arms and in them he holds a shell, a disk, a club, and a lotus.
Ganesh
22 inches tall...